Curro Halala Cup an exciting addition to schools’ football
April is the month when major schools’ football tournaments take place in South Africa, and Curro Holdings is doing its bit to brighten South Africa’s football future by introducing the Curro Halala Cup in that month.
The competition will feature a whopping 64 u19 teams, encompassing both public and private institutions.
A grand prize of R100 000 will be up for grabs, with the event set to serve as an opportunity for players and teams to showcase their skills and talent.
In a recent press statement, Curro Holdings said the idea for the Curro Halala Cup was sparked by Meridian Northern Academy’s historic triumph in the 2024 Kay Motsepe Schools Championships, which ended with Northern Academy defeating Eletsa Secondary 2-1 in the national final.
Curro Holdings has been nurturing football in its schools and recognises immense potential for the sport, it said in the statement.
“We have the national champions within our portfolio of schools. Why not create a tournament that gives more teams the chance to prove themselves on a national stage?” asked Cobus Loubser, the CEO of Curro Holdings.
“With our successful Podium athletics events, we’ve shown how to host top-tier school competitions, and now we’re bringing that expertise and enthusiasm to football. It is time to elevate the game much more at school level. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to compete against the best?”
The road to glory
The Curro Halala Cup tournament structure will be fast-paced and challenging. The 64 teams will battle it out in regional knockout rounds hosted at Curro schools in April and May, with the top 16 teams advancing to the national finals, which will be held in August at HeronBridge College, in Johannesburg.
In addition to 19 Curro schools competing in the first round, many of South Africa’s football and sporting powerhouses have already been invited to be a part of the inaugural competition, including Clapham High School, Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High School, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Grey College, and Krugersdorp High School.
Professional scouts will, no doubt, watch closely, which could position the Curro Halala Cup as a launchpad for South Africa’s next breakout football stars.
A football legacy in the making
Curro is no stranger to football development, and in 2023 the group partnered with the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools Programme to bring elite coaching to Curro primary schools. The programme has expanded rapidly, from just two schools to 18.
“The Curro Halala Cup is not just about winning. It’s about building a football pipeline and legacy,” Loubser said.
“It’s about creating opportunities, showcasing talent, and giving every player a shot at something even bigger. The lessons these young footballers learn – teamwork, resilience, discipline – will serve them long after the final whistle blows.”
With top teams competing in a top-tier competition, the Curro Halala Cup offers up an intriguing opportunity to tackle a new, exciting competition, which will help to further boost the growth of the game in schools.
The Meaning of ‘HALALA’
“Halala” can mean “welcome” in isiZulu and “celebration” in isiXhosa. It is commonly used across South Africa at small or large gatherings to say “well done” or “you are amazing”. It is in this context, Curro said, that it welcomes schools from across South Africa to celebrate their football talent.
